“I taught you to always have your stash of savings,” my dad said. “Right, Olivia?”
I cleared my throat. “Well, yes. But my personal savings is . . . not much, really. Most of my money is in our joint account, which I don’t have access to right now. Bill canceled my cards.”
David’s face changed instantly. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“It happened a few days ago,” I said. “Anyway, my savings aren’t enough for a divorce lawyer.”
“Mr. Germaine—” David started.
“Harvey,” my dad interrupted.
“Harvey,” David said with a nod, “I know you’ve been through a divorce.”
“Two,” I interjected.
“I want Olivia out of this marriage as quickly as possible,” David said. “If it were up to me, it would already be over. I’d like to just wipe the slate clean.”
“David,” I started, “what—”
“I don’t know if she told you,” he interrupted me, “but Bill was unnecessarily rough with her.”
“Pardon?” Dad said, leaning forward in his seat. “Is this true, Olivia?”
“He just grabbed my arm,” I stammered.
“And left marks,” David added.
“His pride was hurt,” I said. “He’d just learned that David was the one who bought the house.”
My dad ran his hands over his face. “Christ.”
“David broke his nose, though,” I said quickly.
David rolled his eyes. “Trying to make a good impression here,” he said under his breath.
My dad laughed darkly. “Fine. What are you asking me for, David? Money?”
“No, sir, just some backup if Olivia plans to fight me on this. I’ll get her out, no matter the cost. I’ll pay to have everything taken care of as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it looks like six months is the soonest the divorce would become official, and that’s if Bill is compliant.”
“David, I can’t ask you to do that,” I said, my eyes wide.
“You didn’t. I’m saying,” he continued, turning back to my dad, “I want to do it. I want to spare her the pain of a long-drawn-out process. Let Bill keep everything—the money, the car, the furniture, whatever. No alimony. I have more than enough for the two of us plus a family.” David looked at me. “And just so you feel secure, Olivia, you’ll keep your salary at the magazine like we discussed. Put it in savings. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“You’d do that?” my dad asked.
“In a heartbeat. But I need your help.” David glanced at me. “Because Olivia will tell me no.”
“You’re right,” I said adamantly. “My answer is no.”
“I tell you, sugar, divorce is a bitch,” Dad said. “I’d hate to see Bill drag you through the mud when there’s another option.”
I looked between the two of them, speechless. David worked hard for his money. Even if he didn’t, this wasn’t his mess to clean up. “This ismyproblem, David. You shouldn’t have to—”
“It’s our problem, Olivia. Remember what we just talked about?” he said slowly. “You’ve dealt with a lot from Bill. I know he’s been hard on you. Let go, and let me take over from here.”
Let go. It was what he’d asked of me not an hour ago, and I’d agreed. This was David’s way of telling me I didn’t have to do this on my own. “So we’re just going to let him have everything?” I asked.
“Do you care?” David asked.
